Portable rolled product dispenser

ABSTRACT

A rolled product dispenser. The rolled product dispenser includes an inner assembly configured to support a rolled product. The rolled product dispenser also includes an attachment configured to attach the rolled produce dispenser to an external object. The rolled product dispenser further includes a connector configured to secure the attachment to the external object.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/844,299 filed on Jul. 9, 2013, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In general, rolled product dispensers are fixed items. That is, the dispenser is permanently attached to a location. This is because the dispenser needs to hold the attachment point away from a static structure. If it does not hold the product away, then the product either does not dispense properly or is not secured as it should be. In addition, it requires enough strength to support the product in the held away position, which means that stronger, permanent, connectors are required.

Permanent attachment means that the dispenser cannot be easily moved or temporarily installed. That is, once the dispenser is installed it remains in place during use.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a rolled product dispenser which can be easily installed and which does not require a permanent attachment.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential characteristics of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

One example embodiment includes a rolled product dispenser. The rolled product dispenser includes an inner assembly configured to support a rolled product. The rolled product dispenser also includes an attachment configured to attach the rolled produce dispenser to an external object. The rolled product dispenser further includes a connector configured to secure the attachment to the external object.

Another example embodiment includes a rolled product dispenser. The rolled product dispenser includes an inner assembly configured to support a rolled product and having a left end and a right end, the inner assembly having a major axis in length longer than the rolled product to be dispensed. The rolled product dispenser also includes a first end cap on the left end of the inner assembly and a second end cap on the right end of the inner assembly. The rolled product dispenser further includes an attachment configured to attach the rolled produce dispenser to an external object. The rolled product dispenser additionally includes a connector configured to secure the attachment to the external object.

Another example embodiment includes a rolled product dispenser. The rolled product dispenser includes an inner assembly configured to support a rolled product and having a left end and a right end, the inner assembly having a major axis in length longer than the rolled product to be dispensed. The inner assembly includes a center rod configured to receive the rolled product. The center rod includes a first portion and a second portion, the second portion slidable relative to the first portion along the direction of the major axis of the inner assembly. The center rod also includes a spring forcing the second portion of the center rod away from the first portion of the center rod. The inner assembly also includes an outer sheath rotatable relative to the center rod. The rolled product dispenser also includes a first end cap on the left end of the inner assembly and a second end cap on the right end of the inner assembly. The rolled product dispenser further includes an attachment configured to attach the rolled produce dispenser to an external object, where the attachment includes a hole in the first end cap and a hole in the second end cap. The rolled product dispenser additionally includes a connector configured to secure the attachment to the external object.

These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To further clarify various aspects of some example embodiments of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only illustrated embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a portable rolled product dispenser;

FIG. 2 illustrates a partial cut-away view of the portable rolled product dispenser of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a portable rolled product dispenser in use; and

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative example of a portable rolled product dispenser in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made to the figures wherein like structures will be provided with like reference designations. It is understood that the figures are diagrammatic and schematic representations of some embodiments of the invention, and are not limiting of the present invention, nor are they necessarily drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a portable rolled product dispenser 100. The portable rolled product dispenser 100 can be used to dispense any rolled item. For example, the portable rolled product dispenser 100 can be used to mount and dispense paper towels, toilet paper, garbage bags, aluminum foil, saran wrap, or any other rolled product. The portable rolled product dispenser 100 can be hung in any desired location, allowing the user to use the product as desired.

FIG. 1 shows that the portable rolled product dispenser 100 can include an inner assembly 102. The inner assembly 102 is configured to support the rolled product. The inner assembly 102 can include any rod of sufficient length to allow the product to move freely. For example, the inner assembly 102 can be approximately 13 inches for a paper towel roll (which is approximately 11 inches in length) and approximately 0.4 inches in diameter (the roll is approximately 1.5 inches in diameter). The inner assembly 102 can be fashioned from any rigid or semi-rigid material, and can be hollow or solid. The choice of material and form will depend on many factors, including the desired weight of the dispenser, the strength required for the particular application, and the ease of manufacture. As used in the specification and the claims, the term approximately shall mean that the value is within 10% of the stated value, unless otherwise specified. As used in the specification and the claims, the phrase “configured to” denotes an actual state of configuration that fundamentally ties recited elements to the physical characteristics of the recited structure. As a result, the phrase “configured to” reaches well beyond merely describing functional language or intended use since the phrase actively recites an actual state of configuration.

FIG. 1 also shows that the portable rolled product dispenser 100 can include one or more end caps 104. The end caps 104 may be larger than the diameter of the inner assembly 102. The end caps 104 may be removable to allow the product to be placed on the inner assembly 102. Likewise, when attached the end caps 104 may help hold the product on the inner assembly 102 by being of sufficiently large in diameter to prevent the product from being removed. The end caps 104 may be allow rotation of the inner assembly 102 or may be fixed relative to the inner assembly 102.

FIG. 1 further shows that the portable rolled product dispenser 100 can include an attachment 106. The attachment 106 allows the end caps 104 to be attached to an external object. For example, the attachment 106 can include a hole, a hook, a snap or any other mechanism for securing the end caps 104. One of skill in the art will appreciate that the attachment 106 need not secure the inner assembly 102 horizontally, but can secure the inner assembly 102 vertically or at some other angle.

FIG. 1 further shows that the portable rolled product dispenser 100 can include a connector 108. The connector 108 secures the attachment 106 to the external object. The connector 108 is of a length and tension sufficient to reach from the end caps 104 to affix to the external object to which the portable rolled product dispenser 100 is to be affixed, such as a fence, shelving or any other desired object, and maintain compression in the product to prevent free rotation of the product, but to allow rotation with applied force, such as by pulling on the product. The connector 108 can include any material which is of sufficient strength to support the desired product. For example, the connector 108 can include a shock cord, a rope, a chain or any other desired connector 108. A shock cord, also known as a bungee cord, is an elastic cord composed of one or more elastic strands forming a core. The shock cord can also include a sheath. For example, the sheath can include a woven cotton or polypropylene sheath. One of skill in the art will appreciate that although the sheath may not materially extend elastically, it can be braided with its strands spiraling around the core so that a longitudinal pull causes it to squeeze the core, transmitting the core's elastic compression to the longitudinal extension of the sheath and cord. Additionally or alternatively, the shock cord can be made entirely of elastic strands.

FIG. 2 illustrates a partial cut-away view of the portable rolled product dispenser 100 of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 shows that the portable rolled product dispenser 100 can include a center rod 202. The center rod 202 is configured to receive the rolled product. I.e., the center rod 202 is a shaft that is of sufficient strength to support the rolled product. The center rod 202 can be a single piece or can include two or more pieces that are able to move laterally relative to one another, allowing a user to change the desired length.

FIG. 2 shows that the portable rolled produce dispenser 100 can also include an outer sheath 204. The outer sheath 204 is placed around (external to) the center rod 202. The outer sheath 204 can rotate relative to the center rod 202, which eases product dispensing. In particular, the outer sheath 204 means that any product can be dispensed, even if the product does not have a “tube” in the center of the product. The outer sheath 204 can be of a smaller diameter than the end caps 104 to ensure that the outer sheath 204 remains on the inner assembly 102 during use.

FIG. 2 also shows that the portable rolled product dispenser 100 can further include a spring 206. The spring 206 is an elastic object used to store mechanical energy. When a spring is compressed or stretched, the force it exerts is proportional to its change in length. The spring 206 can be compressed, allowing a user to change the rolled product and then released, forcing the portions of the center rod 202 and/or the end caps 104 away from one another holding the inner assembly in place.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a portable rolled product dispenser 100 in use. In particular, the portable rolled product dispenser 100 is attached, using a shock cord as a connector 108, to a tree 302 for dispensing paper towels 304. One of skill in the art will appreciate that the connector 108 allows the portable rolled product dispenser 100 to be connected to virtually any desired external object and that a tree 302, although used as an example herein, is not limiting.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative example of a portable rolled product dispenser 100 in use. In particular, the portable rolled product dispenser 100 is attached, using a chain as a connector 108, to a shelf 402 for dispensing plastic bags 404. One of skill in the art will appreciate that heavier objects, such as the plastic bags 404 can cause excessive wear on a shock cord or other elastic connector 108, necessitating the use of a none elastic connector, such as a chain.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A rolled product dispenser, the rolled product dispenser comprising: an inner assembly configured to support a rolled product; an attachment configured to attach the rolled produce dispenser to an external object; and a connector configured to secure the attachment to the external object.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the attachment includes a hole.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the attachment includes a hook.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the attachment includes a snap.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the connector includes a hook configured to secure the connector to the external object.
 6. The system of claim 1 wherein the connector includes a shock cord.
 7. The system of claim 1 wherein the connector includes a chain.
 8. The system of claim 1 wherein the connector includes a rope.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the inner assembly includes a center rod.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the inner assembly includes an outer sheath.
 11. A rolled product dispenser, the rolled product dispenser comprising: an inner assembly: configured to support a rolled product; and having a left end and a right end, the inner assembly having a major axis in length longer than the rolled product to be dispensed; a first end cap on the left end of the inner assembly; a second end cap on the right end of the inner assembly; an attachment configured to attach the rolled produce dispenser to an external object; and a connector configured to secure the attachment to the external object.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the inner assembly includes an outer sheath rotatable relative to the first end cap and the second end cap.
 13. The system of claim 11, wherein the inner assembly includes a center rod configured to receive the rolled product.
 14. The system of claim 11, wherein the center rod includes a first portion and a second portion, the second portion slidable relative to the first portion along the direction of the major axis of the inner assembly.
 15. The system of claim 11 further comprising: a spring forcing the second portion of the center rod away from the first portion of the center rod.
 16. A rolled product dispenser, the rolled product dispenser comprising: an inner assembly: configured to support a rolled product; and having a left end and a right end, the inner assembly having a major axis in length longer than the product to be dispensed; including: a center rod configured to receive the rolled product, wherein the center rod includes: a first portion and a second portion, the second portion slidable relative to the first portion along the direction of the major axis of the inner assembly; a spring forcing the second portion of the center rod away from the first portion of the center rod; and an outer sheath rotatable relative to the center rod; a first end cap on the left end of the inner assembly; a second end cap on the right end of the inner assembly; an attachment configured to attach the rolled produce dispenser to an external object, wherein the attachment includes a hole in the first end cap and a hole in the second end cap; and a connector configured to secure the attachment to the external object via the hole in the first end cap and the hole in the second end cap.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the outer sheath is approximately 13 inches in length.
 18. The system of claim 16, wherein the diameter of the outer sheath is smaller than the diameter of the first end cap.
 19. The system of claim 16 attached to a shelf.
 20. The system of claim 16, wherein the rolled product include paper towels. 